Chapter 15

MSS. Brit. Mus.: Sloane 2629, fol. 57.Bodl.: Canon. Miscell. 334, fol. 18b-21b; 480 (explicitfol. 16); and E Musaeo 155, p. 638.

MSS. Brit. Mus.: Sloane 2629, fol. 57.

Bodl.: Canon. Miscell. 334, fol. 18b-21b; 480 (explicitfol. 16); and E Musaeo 155, p. 638.

De graduacione medicinarum compositarum.Inc.‘Omnis forma inherens.’

MSS. Bodl. Canon. Misc. 334, fol. 32; 480; fol. 23b(the author’s name is obliterated in the MS.).

Tractatus de erroribus medicorum[1358].Inc.‘Vulgus medicorum.’

MSS. Oxford: Bodl. Canon. Misc. 334, fol. 42; 480, fol. 30 (author’s name obliterated); E Musaeo 155, pp. 669-689. Corpus Ch. Coll. 127 (sec xv).

Canones practici de medicinis compositis componendis, ‘Cap. i. Extractum de libro septimo Serapionis qui est antidotarium suum et est theoricum capitulum.’ (13 chapters.)Inc.‘Necesse est illi qui vult componere medicinas.’ ‘Explicit tractatus de compositione medicinarum per fratrem rugerium bacon editus.’

MS. Bodl. Canon. Misc. 480, fol. 38b-47.

De leone viridi(on the manufacture of mercury); only the summary by Raymund Gaufredi is extant.Inc.‘Verbum abbreviatum.’

MSS. Brit. Mus.:—Sloane 692, f. 46 (sec. xv). Oxford:—Corpus Chr. Coll. 277. Printed at Frankfurt, 1603 (Sanioris medicinae, p. 264), &c.

A number of works on alchemy are attributed to Roger Bacon erroneously or without any probability.

De consideratione quintae essentiae; 3 books.

The author was a Franciscan who entered the Order at Toulouse[1359].Inc. opus.‘Dixit Salomon sapientie cap. vii. Deus dedit mihi.’

MSS. Bodl.: Canonic. Misc. 334, fol. 59b. ‘Primus liber de consideracione quinte essencie omnium rerum transmutabilium. In nomine domini nostri Jhesu Christi. Incipit liber de famulatu philosophie ewangelio domini Jhesu Christi et pauperibus euangelicis viris Amen.’ Fol. 94b, ‘Explicit liber quinte essencie secundum fratrem Rogerium Bacun de ordine minorum.’Bodl. E Musaeo 155, pp. 431-507. ‘Explicit liber tertius de consideracione 5teessencie secundum magistrum Rogerum Bacon, correctus et scriptus per Johannem Cokkes manibus suis propriis Oxon[1360].’Brit. Museum: Sloane 2320, f. 73 (sec. xv-xvi).Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 7151 (xv).Venice:—St. Mark, vol. IV. CI. XIV., Cod. 39.

Bodl. E Musaeo 155, pp. 431-507. ‘Explicit liber tertius de consideracione 5teessencie secundum magistrum Rogerum Bacon, correctus et scriptus per Johannem Cokkes manibus suis propriis Oxon[1360].’

Brit. Museum: Sloane 2320, f. 73 (sec. xv-xvi).

Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 7151 (xv).

Venice:—St. Mark, vol. IV. CI. XIV., Cod. 39.

De expulsione veneni.Inc.‘Ista subscripta sequerentur post capitulum de hiis que expellunt venenum.’

MS. Bodl. E Musaeo 155, p. 507 (not expressly ascribed to Bacon in the MS.: see Brewer,Op. Ined.p. xl.).

Speculum alchemiae.Inc.‘Multifariam multisque modis.’

MSS. Brit. Museum: Addit. 8786, f. 62; 15,549; Sloane 3506 (English translation).Bodl.: Ashmole 1416, f. 101 (sec. xv).Printed in Zetzner’sTheatrum Chemicum, vol. ii.,A. D.1659; in Manget’sTheasurus, vol. i., &c., &c.

MSS. Brit. Museum: Addit. 8786, f. 62; 15,549; Sloane 3506 (English translation).

Bodl.: Ashmole 1416, f. 101 (sec. xv).

Printed in Zetzner’sTheatrum Chemicum, vol. ii.,A. D.1659; in Manget’sTheasurus, vol. i., &c., &c.

Speculum alchemiae.Inc.‘Speculum alchemiae quod in corde meo figuravi.’

MS. Brit. Mus.: Harl. 3528, fol. 185.

Speculum secretorum, or,Liber secretorum.Inc.‘In nomine Domini ... ad instructionem multorum circa hanc artem.’

MSS. Brit. Mus.: Sloane 513, f. 178b(sec. xv).Oxford:—Bodl.: Digby 28, f. 61 (sec. xiv); Digby 119, f. 90b; Ashmole 1467, f. 208b, and 1485, p. 117 (sec. xvi). Also Corpus Christi Coll. 125, f. 86.Printed at Frankfurt, 1603 (p. 387).

MSS. Brit. Mus.: Sloane 513, f. 178b(sec. xv).

Oxford:—Bodl.: Digby 28, f. 61 (sec. xiv); Digby 119, f. 90b; Ashmole 1467, f. 208b, and 1485, p. 117 (sec. xvi). Also Corpus Christi Coll. 125, f. 86.

Printed at Frankfurt, 1603 (p. 387).

Secretum secretorum naturae de laude lapidis Philosophorum.Inc.‘Secretum secretorum naturae audiant secreti quae loquor.’

Printed at Frankfurt, 1603 (pp. 285-291).

Rogerina major et minor, two medical treatises; neither by Bacon: one is by a Roger Baron.

MSS. Bodl. 2626; Cf. MS. St. Omer 624 (sec. xiii); Charles,R. Bacon, p. 75,note.Cambridge, Publ. Libr. Ii, I. 16 (sec. xiv) and Ee, II. 20.Brit. Mus.: Sloane 342, f. 146 (sec. xiii).

MSS. Bodl. 2626; Cf. MS. St. Omer 624 (sec. xiii); Charles,R. Bacon, p. 75,note.

Cambridge, Publ. Libr. Ii, I. 16 (sec. xiv) and Ee, II. 20.

Brit. Mus.: Sloane 342, f. 146 (sec. xiii).

De Magnete.Inc.‘Amicorum intime, quamdam magnetis lapidis.’

MS. Bodl. E Musaeo 155, pp. 414-426 (anon.): Charles (p. 18) ascribes it to Peter de Maricourt.

Calendar, wrongly attributed to Bacon; made by a Minorite at Toledo 1297, and extracted from theTabulae Toletanae.

MS. Cott. Vesp. A. II. f. 2; Cf.Opus Majusp. 140 (ed. Venet, 1750).

Semita recta alchemiae(or,Liber duodecim aquarum).

MS. Brit. Mus.: Sloane 513, f. 181b-188b(sec. xv): ‘Explicit semita recta alkemie secundum Magistrum Rogerum Bakun.’Cf. MS. Sloane 276, f. 21, an anonymous work on the same subject, differing somewhat from the above.Bodl.: Ashmole 1485, pp. 173-188 (sec. xvi), ‘Liber aquarum.’

MS. Brit. Mus.: Sloane 513, f. 181b-188b(sec. xv): ‘Explicit semita recta alkemie secundum Magistrum Rogerum Bakun.’

Cf. MS. Sloane 276, f. 21, an anonymous work on the same subject, differing somewhat from the above.

Bodl.: Ashmole 1485, pp. 173-188 (sec. xvi), ‘Liber aquarum.’

Thesaurus spirituum, four treatises on the influence of planets, &c.Inc.‘Hec est doctrina omnium experimentorum.’

MS. Brit. Museum: Sloane 3853, f. 3-40 (sec. xv). ‘Hec est tabula libri sequentis ... a quodam viro venerabili ordinis Minorum fratre summa composita et ordinata, et a diligencia M. Rogero Bakon ordinis Minorum nuper recognita, qui quidem liber pro omnibus hujus mundi experimentis sufficit,’ &c.‘Explicit liber qui secundum Robertum Turconem et Rogerum Bakon fratrem Minorum Thesaurus spirituum nuncupatur.’Cf. MS. Sloane 3850, f. 129b,De nigromantia, extracted from the above.

‘Explicit liber qui secundum Robertum Turconem et Rogerum Bakon fratrem Minorum Thesaurus spirituum nuncupatur.’

Cf. MS. Sloane 3850, f. 129b,De nigromantia, extracted from the above.

De fistula.

MS. Sloane 238, f. 214b-216b(sec. xv). ‘Secundum Rogerum Bacon ut habetur in libro qui dicitur Thesaurus pauperum[1361].’

Necromanciae.Inc.‘Debes mundare manus et pedes ante visionem characterum.’

MS. Sloane 3884, f. 44b(sec. xv-xvi): ‘Haec sunt quae Rogerus Bacon de pura necromancia dixit.’

Other worthless recipes, fragments, &c., attributed to Bacon will be found in MSS:—

Bodl. 3, 349, ‘Index simplicium’; Ashmole 1423, iv. pp. 1-7 ‘Opus,’ ‘Opus Commune,’ ‘De conclusionibus’; Sloane 692, f. 102, ‘Finalis conclusio’; Harl. 2269, art. I; Cott. Jul. D. V. ‘De colore faciendo’; Digby 196, f. 163b, ‘Septem virtutes naturae’; Ashmole 1485 (sec. xv), various.

De intellectu et intelligentia, andDe nutrimento, which Charles considers genuine, are printed among the works of Albertus Magnus.

MSS. Bodl.: Digby 67, f. 107 (sec. xiv), anon: and Digby 55, f. 193, anon: Alb. Magnus,Opera, V. p. 239 and 175 (Lugd. 1657).

Tractatus de veritate theologiae in septem partes distributus, perhaps by Robert Bacon.Inc.‘Flecto genua mea ad patrem domini nostri Jesu Christi.’

MS. Bodley 745 (= 2764) (sec. xiv) pp. 113-188: ‘Incipit tractatus fratris B.’ Part i. de trinitate dei; ii. de creatura dei; iii. de corruptela peccati; iv. de incarnacione verbi; v. de gratia spiritus sancti; vi. de medicina sacramentali; vii. de statu finalis judicii.

Tractatus super Psalterium, probably by Robert Bacon.

MS.ibid.pp. 193-497. ‘Incipit tractatus fratris R. Bacun, super psalterium. Beatus vir qui.’

Excerptiones Rogeri Bacon ex auctoribus musicae artis; or correctly,Excerptiones Hogeri abbatis, &c.

MS. Cambridge:—Corp. Chr. Coll. 260 (olim189).Cf. MS. Milan:—Ambrosiana,Rogerii de Baccono de generatione et corruptione, de Musica, de prospectiva(Montfaucon, p. 523). Cf. Opera Inedita, 295seq.

MS. Cambridge:—Corp. Chr. Coll. 260 (olim189).

Cf. MS. Milan:—Ambrosiana,Rogerii de Baccono de generatione et corruptione, de Musica, de prospectiva(Montfaucon, p. 523). Cf. Opera Inedita, 295seq.

De sacrae scripturae profundis misteriis authore Rogero Bacon.

MS. London:—Gray’s Inn, 17 (sec. xv); the title is in a later hand. It is probably a version of the Expositiones Vocabulorum de singulis libris Bibliae Rogeri compotistae monachi S. Eadmundi;MSS. Oxford:—Bodl. Laud. Misc. 176 (sec. xiv); Magd. Coll. 112 (sec. xv).

MS. London:—Gray’s Inn, 17 (sec. xv); the title is in a later hand. It is probably a version of the Expositiones Vocabulorum de singulis libris Bibliae Rogeri compotistae monachi S. Eadmundi;

MSS. Oxford:—Bodl. Laud. Misc. 176 (sec. xiv); Magd. Coll. 112 (sec. xv).

John, Roger Bacon’s favourite pupil, was certainly not John of London[1362], or John Peckham[1363]. On the other hand it is impossible to identify him with any known scholastic doctor. It is not certain whether he was a friar or whether he was ever at Oxford. About 1260 Roger Bacon found him probably at Paris, as a poor boy of fifteen eager to learn, but forced to beg his bread and to serve those who gave him the necessaries of life[1364].

‘I caused him,’ says Roger[1365], ‘to be taken care of and instructed for the love of God.’

The boy repaid his master’s care. Wishing to send a fit interpreter of his works to the Pope, Bacon writes[1366],

‘I chose a youth whom for five or six years I have had instructed in languages and mathematics and optics, in which is all the difficulty of what I send; and I instructed him gratis with my own mouth after I received your command, feeling that I could not at present have another messenger after my own heart.’

There was no one at Paris who knew so much of the roots of philosophy as didjuvenis Johannes; he was ‘a virgin, not knowing mortal sin,’ and ‘an excellent keeper of secrets[1367].’ John was sent to Clement with theOpus Majusand other treatises[1368]in 1267, the other works,Opus MinusandOpus Tertium, being sent later and probably by other messengers. From this time we have no authentic information about him, and do not know whether he fulfilled Bacon’s expectations:

‘he has that which will enable him to surpass all the Latins, if he lives to old age and builds on the foundations which he has[1369].’

Robert de Ware, in Hertfordshire[1370], entered the Order at Oxford between 1265 and 1268. In the prologue of his only extant work,addressed to his younger brother John, he gives the following account of his conversion[1371]:—

I was the eldest son of my father; at a tender age, tenderly beloved, I was designed for a life of study. At length I came to Oxford, and then I entered the Order of Friars Minors. At this my father was exceedingly grieved, and did all in his power to force me to leave the Order, sending my mother and brother and relatives and other friends to me, with intreaties and promises; and, I am told, with the help of some powerful persons, he made every exertion to secure my liberation in the court of Ottobon, who was then acting as legate in England[1372]. At length finding himself thwarted because I would not give my consent, he became so embittered against me that he absolutely refused to see me or speak with me, nor could any of my friends pacify him. One day even, when I had come to his gates with my companion-friar, and wished to enter, he refused me admittance by his servants, drew his sword, and swore with a mighty oath that he would kill me if I presumed to enter.

At length the father was stricken down by a mortal disease, and, warned in a vision, he relented towards his son. The latter was summoned hastily from London, and reconciled to his father, who before his death gave proof of his devotion to the Order of St. Francis.

Twenty-five discourses on the Virgin Mary, by friar Robert de Ware.Inc. prol.“Aue rosarium scripturarum per areolas.”

MS. London:—Gray’s Inn, 7, f. 62-138: (sec. xiii). No title; the name of the author is given in a hand of the fourteenth century.

Walter de Landen,William Cornish,William de Wykham,Dyonisius, andRobert de Cap(e)ll, were Franciscans at Oxford, and took part in the controversy with the Dominicans in 1269. All that is known about them will be found in Appendix C.

Nicholas de Gulacwas at Oxford in 1269. Suffering from stone and despairing of life, he at length prayed the Lord

‘to cure him by the merits of his martyr Earl Simon de Montfort.’

On the next morning as he rose from his bed ‘ut commingeret,’ the stone fell at his feet, and he had no pain before or afterwards, being completely cured on Easter Tuesday, 1269; to this miracle witness was borne by the whole convent of Minorites at Oxford[1373].

Laurence of Cornwall, to whose miraculous recovery from fever, after prayer to Simon de Montfort, the same Friar N. de Gulac bore witness, was probably at Oxford about the same time[1374].

Stephanus Hibernicus, called alsoStephen of ExeterandStephen of Oxford, was born in 1246, and became a Minorite at ‘Mutifernana’ in 1263. These facts are contained in theAnnales Montis Fernandi(sive Minoritarum Multifernanae)ab ao45 usque ad an. 1274, the authorship of which is usually ascribed to Stephen[1375]. It is very doubtful whether he was at Oxford.

TheAnnalesare extant in ‘MS. Bibl. Arch. Armachani,’ according to Hardy; formerly MS. Clarendon 19, f. 32-44 (Bernard).

William of Ware, orWilliam Warre,Guaro,Varro, &c., born at Ware in Hertfordshire, entered the Order in his youth, according to William Woodford[1376]. It is not improbable that he studied at Oxford, but there is no authority for the statement[1377]. He was S.T.P. of Paris, where most of his life was spent[1378]. He is said to have been a pupil of Alexander of Hales[1379](d. 1245), and master of Duns Scotus[1380], who went to Paris in 1304. He was calleddoctor fundatusby later writers[1381].

HisCommentaries on the Sentenceswere seen by Leland in the Franciscan Library, London[1382], and are now extant in the following MSS.:

Oxford:—Merton Coll. 103, 104 (sec. xiv).Inc.‘Utrum finis per se et proprius theologie.’Toulouse, 242, § 1 (sec. xiv), anon.Inc. ut supra.Troyes, 661, § 1 (xiv). ‘Questiones super I et III lib. Sentent.’ ascribed to Duns Scotus.Inc. ut supra.Troyes, 661 § 2 (xiv). ‘Questiones Wareti super tertium librum Sententiarum.’Inc.‘Queritur utrum incarnacio sit possibilis Quod non. Incarnacio est quedam.’Vienna:—Bibl. Palat. 1424, and 1438 (xiv).Florence:—Laurentiana,ex Bibl. S. Crucis, Plut. xxxiii, Dext. Cod. i (sec. xiii).Padua, Bibl. S. Antonii,in Pluteisxxiv and xxii. (Tomasin, pp. 62a, 60b.)

Oxford:—Merton Coll. 103, 104 (sec. xiv).Inc.‘Utrum finis per se et proprius theologie.’

Toulouse, 242, § 1 (sec. xiv), anon.Inc. ut supra.

Troyes, 661, § 1 (xiv). ‘Questiones super I et III lib. Sentent.’ ascribed to Duns Scotus.Inc. ut supra.

Troyes, 661 § 2 (xiv). ‘Questiones Wareti super tertium librum Sententiarum.’Inc.‘Queritur utrum incarnacio sit possibilis Quod non. Incarnacio est quedam.’

Vienna:—Bibl. Palat. 1424, and 1438 (xiv).

Florence:—Laurentiana,ex Bibl. S. Crucis, Plut. xxxiii, Dext. Cod. i (sec. xiii).

Padua, Bibl. S. Antonii,in Pluteisxxiv and xxii. (Tomasin, pp. 62a, 60b.)

Richard Middletonis said by Bale, Wood, and others, to have studied at Oxford, but they produce no evidence for the statement[1383]. He was B.D. at Paris in 1283[1384], when with other doctors and bachelors he was appointed to examine the doctrines of Peter Johannis Olivi. He appears to have incepted as D.D. soon afterwards[1385], and is reckoned among the masters of Duns Scotus. Like many other famous doctors of his Order, he is said by Wadding to have written on the Immaculate Conception[1386]. According to Willot he was known at Paris asDoctor solidus et copiosus, fundatissimus et authoratus[1387]: at the Council of Basel he was referred to asDoctor profundus[1388].

Commentum super iv. Sententiarum.Inc. prologus, ‘Abscondita produxit.’

MSS. Oxford:—Bodl. 2765 (now Bodley 744)—Balliol Coll. 198 (sec. xiv)—Merton Coll. 98, f. 118 (sec. xiv).Cambridge:—Caius Coll. 303—Pembroke Coll. 111, 113.Canterbury:—Cathedral Lib. 4.Munich:—Bibl. Regia, 3549 (sec. xv) and 8078 (sec. xiii-xiv).Printed at Venice 1489, at Venicesine anno, and Venice 1507-9, &c.

MSS. Oxford:—Bodl. 2765 (now Bodley 744)—Balliol Coll. 198 (sec. xiv)—Merton Coll. 98, f. 118 (sec. xiv).

Cambridge:—Caius Coll. 303—Pembroke Coll. 111, 113.Canterbury:—Cathedral Lib. 4.Munich:—Bibl. Regia, 3549 (sec. xv) and 8078 (sec. xiii-xiv).

Cambridge:—Caius Coll. 303—Pembroke Coll. 111, 113.

Canterbury:—Cathedral Lib. 4.

Munich:—Bibl. Regia, 3549 (sec. xv) and 8078 (sec. xiii-xiv).

Printed at Venice 1489, at Venicesine anno, and Venice 1507-9, &c.

Quaestiones quodlibetales(two parts).Inc. Pars I.‘Queritur utrum Deus sit summe simplex.’

MSS. Oxford:—Merton Coll. 139, fol. 2 (sec. xiv).Troyes, 142 (xiv);Pars II incipit ut supra.Florence:—Laurentiana,ex Bibl. S. Crucis, Plut. xvii, Sin. Cod. vi (sec. xivineuntis).

MSS. Oxford:—Merton Coll. 139, fol. 2 (sec. xiv).

Troyes, 142 (xiv);Pars II incipit ut supra.

Florence:—Laurentiana,ex Bibl. S. Crucis, Plut. xvii, Sin. Cod. vi (sec. xivineuntis).

Quodlibeta tria.(The first contains 22 questions; the second 31; the third 27.)Inc.‘In nostra disputacione de quolibet.’

MSS. Oxford:—Merton Coll. 139, f. 162 (sec. xiv).Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 14305 (sec. xiii)Questiones de quolibet; this may contain either theQuodl. triaor theQuestiones Quodlib., or both.Toulouse, 738 (sec. xiii).Florence:—Laurent.ut supra.Printed at Venice 1509, Paris 1519, and Brescia 1591.

MSS. Oxford:—Merton Coll. 139, f. 162 (sec. xiv).

Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 14305 (sec. xiii)Questiones de quolibet; this may contain either theQuodl. triaor theQuestiones Quodlib., or both.

Toulouse, 738 (sec. xiii).

Florence:—Laurent.ut supra.

Printed at Venice 1509, Paris 1519, and Brescia 1591.

De gradibus formarum.

MS. Munich 8723, fol. 175 (sec. xiv and xv).

Quaestiones disputatae, by R. Middleton and others.

MS. Assisi (see Fratini, p. 203).

Sermo fratris Ricardi de dilatatione sermonum(?).Inc.‘Quoniam emulatores estis.’

MS. Oxford:—Merton Coll. 249, f. 175 (sec. xiii).

William de la Mare,de Mara, orLamarensis, may have studied at Oxford[1389]before he went to Paris, where he was a disciple of Bonaventura. In 1284 he published a criticism of Thomas Aquinas, calledCorrectorium operum fratris Thomae[1390], which afterwards won for him the title of standard-bearer of the Anti-Thomists[1391]. This treatise, which may perhaps be still extant in an Italian library, is generally known only through the reply to it, attributed sometimes to Aegidius Romanus, but with more probability to Richard Clapwell[1392]. ‘The serious part of the work of William de Lamarre,’ says M. Charles, ‘seems directly inspired by Bacon[1393].’ He had no doubt come under Roger’s influence either at Oxford or Paris. William de Mara appears also to have written in favour of a strict observance of the Rule of St. Francis. In a dispute on the interpretation of the Rule in 1310, Friar Ubertino de Casali, one of the leaders of the ‘Spiritual’ party, quoted, in support of his views,

‘the opinion of St. Francis expressed in his Rule, and of Pope Nicholas in his Declaration, of Friar Bonaventura in his Apologia, of Friars Alexander and Rigaldus ... and of Friar John de Peckham in his book on EvangelicalPerfection, and of Friar William de Mara, who were all solemn masters of our Order[1394].’

From this it is clear that William died before 1310.

Some of his writings are extant in MS.

Summa Fratris Gul. de Mara contra D. Thomam.

MS. Venice:—Bibl. S. Anton.in Pluteoxix (Tomasin).

Correctorium Fratris Gul. de Mera ... secundum dicta D. Thomae de Aquino contra correctorium Fratris Joannis (?) de Crapuel Ordinis Praedicatorum—perhaps the printedDefensorium seu Correctorium.

MS.ibid. in Pluteoxviii.

Quaestiones de natura virtutis, by ‘Gulielmus de le Maire, ordinis Minorum.’

MS. Brit. Museum:—Burney 358 (sec. xiv)—mutilated at the beginning.

Sermo Fratris Guillermi de la Mare regentis in Theologia.(On St. Peter.)Inc.‘Precurrens ascendit in arborem sycomorum.... Fratres orate ut sermo Dei currat et clarificetur.’

MS. Troyes, 1788 (sec. xiv).

Expositio libri Physicorum Aristotelis; andComment. in libros 1, 2, et 3, Sententiarum[1395].

MSS. Sta. Croce, Florence 380, 381, 382, 383; mentioned in Wadding,Sup. ad Script.These MSS. are now in the Laurentiana,ex Bibl. S. Crucis, Plut. xxxiv. Sin. Codd. iv, v, vi, vii, but they do not seem to contain thePhysics.

Quaestiones tres philosophicae per Gulielmum (de Mara?) de Anglia, fratrem ordinis Minorum.Inc.‘Est dubitacio utrum lineam componam ex punctis.’

MS. Bodl. Canon. Misc. 226, f. 76 (sec. xv). There seems no reason for attributing these to W. de Mara rather than to William of Ockham, or any English Minorite named William[1396].

John of Oxford, Friar Minor, was ordained priest by Peckham in 1284[1397].

Richard de Slekeburne(co. Durham), confessor of Devorguila, played an important part in the foundation of Balliol College: thishas already been referred to[1398]. There is no direct proof that Friar Richard was himself at Oxford. Several documents relating to him are preserved in the Balliol College Archives, and described in the Reports of the Hist. MSS. Commission[1399].

(1) A letter of Devorguila to him, in which she speaks of

‘the alms of the poor scholars of our House of Balliol now studying at Oxford,’

and urges Friar Richard by all means in his power to promote the perpetuation of the said house,A. D.1284.

(2) A grant by the executors of Sir John Balliol of sums to the scholars, with the consent of Devorguila and at the advice of Friar R. de Slekeburne (three deeds, 1285-1286).

(3) A confirmation by Friar Richard of another grant by Sir J. Balliol’s executors of debts due to Sir John: the confirmatory deed is dated Coventry, 1287.

William of Exeterwas summoned in 1289 from Oxford by Deodatus, Warden of the Friars Minors of Exeter[1400], to assist him in choosing a new site for the convent[1401].

William of Leominsteris placed among the Franciscans by Pits, but it is not certain that he belonged to this Order[1402]. He was a friar and master of Oxford in 1290; in this year his name appears as one of the masters who gave their consent on behalf of the University to the compromise, effected by the intervention of the King and his council, concerning the right of the bishop of Lincoln to confirm the Chancellor-elect[1403]. Bale states that he had seen this friar’sCollationes SententiarumandQuaestiones Theologiae, at London, ‘in quadam officina’[1404].

John Bekinkhamappears to have been an Oxford Minorite; he was one of the friars to whom the royal alms of 25 marks was paid by the exchequer in 1289 or 1290[1405].

John de Clarawas executor of Hugh de Cantilupe, Archdeacon of Gloucester, in 1285; he was at this time at Oxford[1406]. In 1289 or 1290 he appears, in conjunction with John Bekinkham, as receiving the royal grant of 25 marks in the name of the Oxford Convent[1407]. In 1299 he was entrusted with 10 marks out of the royal exchequer for the expenses of Hugh of Hertepol and William of Gainsborough, who were going to the General Chapter at Lyons[1408]. In 1301 he was sent with instructions to find the Provincial Minister with all speed, and received of the royal bounty 24s.3d.for his expenses[1409].

John Russellwas private chaplain to Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, in 1293. In a letter to Raymund, General Minister of the Friars Minors, dated Aug. 29, 1293[1410], the Earl thanks the Minister

‘pro vestris muneribus preciosis, cultellis vestris videlicet nobilibus de corallo atque insigni vase tiriaco, que in octavis virginis gloriose per manus dilecti et domestici nostri fratris Johannis Rossel ... recepimus.... Dat’ in manerio nostro de B. (Beckley?)[1411]prope Oxon’,’ &c.

Russell wrote about the same time todominusR. de M. (Roger de Merlawe):

‘Veni ad capitulum fratrum nostrorum Oxon’, proponens vos personaliter visitasse; sed jam istud iter impedivit debilitas corporalis[1412].’

This John Russell was contemporary, and probably identical, with the twenty-second master of the Franciscans at Cambridge[1413].

Postilla in Cantica Canticorum.Inc.‘Cogitanti mihi Canticum.’

MS. London:—Lambeth Palace, 180, f. 1 (sec. xv).

Lectura super Apocalypsim.Inc.‘Statuit septem piramides.... Accedens ad expositionem.’

MS. Oxford:—Merton Coll. 172, fol. 106 (sec. xiv), manu Will. de Nottingham.

De potestate imperatoris et pape.

Formerly in the King’s Library, according to Bale (MS. Seld. supra 64, fol. 163b, 193): it is not mentioned in Casley’s Catalogue.

Henry de Suttonwas warden of the Grey Friars, London, in 1302[1414], and 1307, when the King (Edward I) gave him 40 marks

‘pro pitancia fratrum Minorum in capitulo suo generali celebrando apud Tolosam in festo Pentecost proximo[1415].’

He procured a legacy of 2 marks annually from Henry Waleys, Mayor of London, for his convent[1416]. The evidence of his connexion with Oxford is very slight. His name occurs as the author of a sermon in a collection of sermons which were probably delivered at Oxford at the end of the thirteenth century[1417].

William Mincy,William de Newport,Roger de Barton(Cheshire),Robert de GaddestynorGaddesby,John de Westburg,Robert de Mogynton(Derby), Franciscans at Oxford in 1300, were on the 26th of July in that year presented at Dorchester by Hugh of Hertepol the Provincial, and licensed by Dalderby, Bishop of Lincoln, to hear confessions, grant absolution, and enjoin penances, in the Archdeaconry of Oxford. They were not at this time, and probably never became, doctors of divinity[1418].

John de Stapleton,A. D.1300, was similarly presented by the Provincial, but rejected by the Bishop. The Register of the Friars Minors at London says:

‘Friar John de Stapilton, heir to great wealth and lordship, spurning wife and heritage, became a Friar Minor.’

It is doubtful whether this refers to the same person[1419].

Adam de Corf,Peter de Todworth,Walter Bosevile, andRoger de Alnewyck, were in like manner presented by the Provincial and rejected by the Bishop,A. D.1300. They were not at this time D.D’s. Nothing further is known of them, unless Roger de Alnewyck is to be identified with William of Alnwick, 42nd reader at Oxford[1420].

John Duns Scotus[1421]was a Franciscan at Oxford in 1300. Inthe list of friars presented to the Bishop of Lincoln he appears as ‘Johannes Douns’[1422]; the Bishop refused to grant him license to hear confessions. Soon afterwards Duns lectured on the four books of theSentencesas B.D. at Oxford[1423]. At the end of 1304 he was called to Paris to incept as D.D. The letter of the General Minister recommending this choice is given by Wadding[1424], who however has misunderstood it. For this reason, and because it illustrates some points in the educational system of the Minorites, the letter may be quoted in full[1425].

In Christo sibi carissimis Patribus, Guillelmo Guardiano Parisiis, vel ejus Vicario et Magistris, Frater Gondisalvus gaudens in Domino.Ad expeditionem dilecti in Christo Patris Aegidii de Legnaco, de quo per litteras vestras certificatus existo, cum de alio (ut moris est) eodem calculo praesentando providere oporteat, et cum, secundum statuta Ordinis, et secundum statuta vestri Conventus, Baccalaureus hujusmodi praesentandus ad praesens debeat esse de aliqua provincia aliarum a Provincia Franciae, dilectum in Christo Patrem Joannem Scotum, de cujus vita laudabili, scientia excellenti, ingenioque subtilissimo, aliisque insignibus conditionibus suis, partim experientia longa, partim fama, quae ubique divulgata est, informatus sum ad plenum, dilectioni vestrae assigno, post dictum patrem Aegidium, principaliter et ordinarie praesentandum. Injungo nihilominus vobis ad meritum salutaris obedientiae, quatenus praesentationem hujusmodi cum solemnitate solita sine multo dispendio facere debeatis; si tamen constiterit vobis, quod dominus Cancellarius velit duos simul licentiare de nostris, volo et placet mihi, quod frater Albertus Methensis, si ad Conventum redire poterit, cum praefato fratre Joanne debeat expediri. In quo casu mando et ordino, quod dictus frater Albertus antiquitatis merito prius incipere debeat, dicto fratre Joanne sub eo postmodum incepturo. Valete in Domino et orate pro me. Datum in loco Esculi provinciae Marchiae Anconitanae,XIVKal. Dec. annoMCCCIV.

In Christo sibi carissimis Patribus, Guillelmo Guardiano Parisiis, vel ejus Vicario et Magistris, Frater Gondisalvus gaudens in Domino.

Ad expeditionem dilecti in Christo Patris Aegidii de Legnaco, de quo per litteras vestras certificatus existo, cum de alio (ut moris est) eodem calculo praesentando providere oporteat, et cum, secundum statuta Ordinis, et secundum statuta vestri Conventus, Baccalaureus hujusmodi praesentandus ad praesens debeat esse de aliqua provincia aliarum a Provincia Franciae, dilectum in Christo Patrem Joannem Scotum, de cujus vita laudabili, scientia excellenti, ingenioque subtilissimo, aliisque insignibus conditionibus suis, partim experientia longa, partim fama, quae ubique divulgata est, informatus sum ad plenum, dilectioni vestrae assigno, post dictum patrem Aegidium, principaliter et ordinarie praesentandum. Injungo nihilominus vobis ad meritum salutaris obedientiae, quatenus praesentationem hujusmodi cum solemnitate solita sine multo dispendio facere debeatis; si tamen constiterit vobis, quod dominus Cancellarius velit duos simul licentiare de nostris, volo et placet mihi, quod frater Albertus Methensis, si ad Conventum redire poterit, cum praefato fratre Joanne debeat expediri. In quo casu mando et ordino, quod dictus frater Albertus antiquitatis merito prius incipere debeat, dicto fratre Joanne sub eo postmodum incepturo. Valete in Domino et orate pro me. Datum in loco Esculi provinciae Marchiae Anconitanae,XIVKal. Dec. annoMCCCIV.

Duns probably taught at Paris till 1307. Wadding, indeed, assertsthat he was sent to Cologne by the General Minister in 1305[1426]; but this is almost impossible, and the description which Wadding gives of the scene is derived from later and unhistorical tradition. The statement, however, that he was appointed Regent by the friars in the General Chapter at Toulouse in 1307 sounds more plausible[1427]; he may have been made the first Regent at Paris, or he may have been sent at this time as lector or Regent of the Franciscan schools at Cologne. At any rate there seems no reason to distrust the notice of his death which Wadding quotes from the list of friars who died at Cologne[1428].

‘D. P. frater Joannes Scotus, sacrae Theologiae Professor, Doctor Subtilis nominatus, quondam lector Coloniae, qui obiit annoMCCCVIII,VIIdus Novembris.’

This entry, though certainly not contemporary, was probably derived from some authentic record. Duns’ title ofDoctor Subtilis, though it does not seem to have been given him in his lifetime, is of considerable antiquity. It is mentioned by Bartholomew of Pisa at the end of the fourteenth century[1429], and by the MS. Catalogue at Assisi, written in 1381[1430].

A collected edition of his works was printed at Lyons in 1639. Many of the works included in these twelve folio volumes are considered doubtful by the editors[1431].

Some few treatises not included in this edition are assigned to him.

Johannis Scoti super Apocalypsin notulae.Inc. liber: ‘Liber iste principaliter dividitur in tres partes.’ (Doubtful.)

MS. Bodl.:—Laud. Misc. 434, f. 1 (sec. xiv).

[Ejusdem?]super S. Matthaei Evangelium notae.Inc.‘Liber generacionis,’ &c.: ‘Sicut fluvius de loco voluptatis egrediens.’ (Doubtful.)

MS.ibid.f. 75.

‘Utrum pluralitas formalitatum possit stare cum simplicitate divine essencie.’

MS. Bodl.: Digby 54, f. 123 (sec. xv).

De perfectione statuum[1432].Inc.‘Quod status prelatorum sc. pastorum ecclesie.’

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